【Latest 2024】ExpressVPN Review and Pros & Cons Explained! Who Needs It? Examining Connectivity from China

ExpressVPN is our number one recommended VPN for use overseas .ExpressVPN is a popular VPN service that offers fast speeds and strong security features.

Nowadays, it is needed by many people all over the world, and is also popular as a VPN that can be used from China . ExpressVPNGood reputationYou can see this.

It is true that many people feel this way because of ExpressVPN’s high price.

In this article, we will introduce ExpressVPN’sGood and bad reviewsWe will compare them and review their ease of use from China and their necessity for living abroad .

What is ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN is one of the most trusted VPN services in the world, known for its high speed and security. A VPN is a technology that encrypts a user’s internet connection to enhance online privacy and security. ExpressVPN offers a wide range of compatible devices and stable connection, and is used by users all over the world.

ExpressVPN Features and Review

It has received top-class ratings for its speed and stability, and provides a comfortable connection, especially when using streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, etc.). However, the fees are somewhat high, so if you are concerned about cost performance, it is wise to consider a long-term contract.

ExpressVPN: What people are saying about it

Let’s take a look at ExpressVPN’s reviews.

Based on my own research into VPN usage , I’d like to start by introducing the positive reviews of ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN: Bad reviews

On the other hand, ExpressVPN also has some bad reviews and reputations. Next, we will introduce some of the bad reviews and reputations of ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN Review Summary

ExpressVPN has a good reputation for its fast connection speeds and high-quality connections.

However, its high price and limited number of simultaneous device connections have earned it a bad reputation.

The best thing about ExpressVPN is its fast connection speeds.

When I actually asked someone at ExpressVPN, they said,What ExpressVPN is most proud of is its fast connection speeds!” he said.

However, ExpressVPN is a bit more expensive than other VPNs .

As introduced in ” ExpressVPN Pricing “, the cost of ExpressVPN is approximately 1,748 yen per month.

The average price for one month is around 1,000 yen, so it’s a bit expensive.

However, the difference is only about 500 yen.

If you are willing to give up one cup of coffee a month to improve your daily communications, then ExpressVPN is a VPN that is well worth it.

Benefits of ExpressVPN

Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of ExpressVPN.

Here are 10 reasons why ExpressVPN is so great:

Fast communication speed

The first benefit of ExpressVPN is:Fast communication speedis.

ExpressVPN officially boasts about its speed, and is updated daily to improve it.

By the way, here are the Wi-Fi speeds when I didn’t use a VPN:

Let’s compare the two above.

Comparing the above, we can see that the ping and jitter values ​​are higher when using a VPN, but the download and upload values ​​do not decrease significantly even when the VPN is turned on .

Since a VPN is a tool that processes the local WiFi to communicate, it is natural that a VPN puts a strain on communication. This is why the ping and jitter values ​​are higher.

but,Even with a VPN enabled, your internet speed will remain smooth and stress-freeWe can see that.

ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries. With 3,000 servers, it’s one of the largest VPNs out there.

The number of servers affects the connection speed, so ExpressVPN, which has over 3,000 servers, offers fast connection speeds.

Kabeneko VPN may be faster in certain regions, such as China, but ExpressVPN is superior in that it can achieve the above speeds anywhere in the world.

The app is easy to use

The second benefit of ExpressVPN is:The app is easy to useis.

The ExpressVPN app looks like this:

When you click the round button in the middle, the screen will turn green and the connection will be complete.Just one click is all it takesis.

The connection destination is automatically set to Japan, so you don’t have to bother to set it yourself. (You only need to change it when you want to.)

With ExpressVPN, you can use the VPN just by launching the app and clicking the middle button.

Click the same button again to turn off the VPN.

Even if you’re not familiar with technical things like VPNs, the ExpressVPN app is easy to use.

High communication stability

The third advantage of ExpressVPN is its high connection stability. Although connection speed is often the focus of attention, connection stability is just as important.

The stability of communication isHow stable is your internet access with a VPN?No matter how fast the connection speed is, if it disconnects once every two minutes, you probably won’t want to use it.

ExpressVPN is able to maintain a stable connection once connected.

We have received many comments from customers saying that they are using ExpressVPN to enjoy a variety of content.You can watch two-hour dramas and games that put a strain on your network.That’s right.

I also used ExpressVPN in China, and once connected, it remained connected until I disconnected.

On the other hand, cheap VPNs tend to have poor connection speeds or are difficult to connect at night when there are many users, so ExpressVPN’s stability is very reliable.

Also available in China

The fourth benefit of ExpressVPN is that it is available in China.

According to the staff, ExpressVPN51% of users are from China(2022) ExpressVPN is a VPN that supports China.

Around November 2022, there was a major update to VPN regulations in China, and there was a period when ExpressVPN also became difficult to connect to.

However, an ExpressVPN staff member told me that the app was updated on January 18, 2023, and that it is now possible to connect from China without any problems.

As mentioned above, China’s VPN regulations are a formidable opponent, but ExpressVPN has responded to them by updating itself accordingly.

Many compatible devices

The fifth benefit of ExpressVPN is:Many compatible devicesis.

Not only is it compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android systems, but you can also use ExpressVPN on basically any device that most people use.

What’s more, ExpressVPN also makes WiFi routers!

With this Wi-Fi router, you can connect to a VPN that you could not connect to before.Smart Home AppliancesYou will also be able to turn on your VPN!

This allows you to update your smart home appliances overseas and also protects the connection of your smart TV and voice assistant.

Servers are located all over the world

The sixth benefit of ExpressVPN is:Servers are located all over the worldis.

ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries.

The downside of VPNs is that when there are a lot of users, the server gets overloaded. Like a ticket gate at a crowded station, traffic jams can occur, slowing down speeds.

However, if the servers are distributed around the world, such problems are less likely to occur. This is like a station with many ticket gates, where people can enter from various places even if there are a lot of people, so operations can be carried out smoothly.

ExpressVPN’s strength, its fast communication speeds, are supported by servers distributed all over the world.

No log policy

The seventh benefit of ExpressVPN is that it has a no-logs policy.

A no-log policy means that a VPN company does not collect any data (logs) related to your online activity, including the web pages you visit, the services you use, and the amount of data you transfer.

For example, when you borrow a book from a library, the library’s system records which book you borrowed and when you borrowed it. This is an example of a “log.”

The “no log policy” indicates a policy of not keeping any “logs,” or records, at all.

In a library, the information about the books you borrow is not recorded at all.Therefore, if someone later asks, “What did this person read?”, the library has no choice but to reply, “We don’t keep records, so we can’t answer that question.”

The “no log policy” of VPN services is the same. They do not record what you searched for or what information you sent online, so if someone later asks you “What did this person do online?”, the VPN service can only answer “We don’t record it, so we can’t answer that.”

VPN companies could theoretically see everything you communicate, including your credit card PIN and passwords.

So by not recording that information due to the no-log policy,The company does not collect personal information about usersThat’s what it means.

ExpressVPN has a no-logs policy, so your privacy is guaranteed.

Strong security (AES-256bit encryption method used)

The eighth benefit of ExpressVPN is:Strong security (AES-256bit encryption method)is.

What is the “AES-256bit encryption method”?One of the strongest and most reliable data encryption methods available today“AES” is an abbreviation for “Advanced Encryption Standard”, which is translated into Japanese as “Advanced Encryption Standard”.

So what does “256 bits” mean? It represents the length of the encryption “key.” In the computer world, information is expressed in units called bits, and one bit can take on two states: 0 or 1. 256 bits means that there are 256 bits in a row that can take on two states: 0 or 1.

This “key” is used for both encryption (changing information into a form that others cannot read) and decryption (changing the encrypted information back into its original readable form). The longer the key, the more difficult it is to guess. In other words, a 256-bit key has a huge number of possible combinations, making it extremely difficult to guess or crack.

As a simple example, if your key is 1 bit, then the key combinations are 2 (0 or 1). But if your key is 2 bits, then the combinations increase to 4 (00, 01, 10, 11). As you add more bits, the combinations increase exponentially, so with 256 bits the number of combinations is very large.

The AES-256bit encryption method has strong encryption capabilities.It is often used in places where high security is required, such as government agencies and financial institutions.

As you can see, ExpressVPN has high-level security that is used by governments .

Cryptocurrency payments possible and various payment methods

The ninth benefit of ExpressVPN is:A variety of payment methodsis.

ExpressVPN accepts the following payment methods:

Even though it is an overseas company, they respond to inquiries in Japanese

The 10th benefit of ExpressVPN is:Although it is an overseas company, they respond to inquiries in Japaneseis.

This is a screenshot of when I contacted ExpressVPN support because I couldn’t connect to ExpressVPN in China.

As mentioned above, I sent a message in Japanese.

I received the following response from ExpressVPN’s customer service center:

The translated email will look like this:

As mentioned above, I was not able to solve the problem, but I did receive a one-month free coupon.

I found out later that ExpressVPN only accepts inquiries in English .

Kelly probably took the time to translate my Japanese message into English and read it to me. I really appreciate that she goes to such lengths to respond to each and every inquiry.

ExpressVPN has friendly support, soIf any trouble occurs, they will deal with it promptly.

Inquiries can only be made in English, but there is a Japanese explanation page for general questions, as well as a Japanese-language chatbot , so you can get sufficient information in Japanese.

Cons of ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a VPN we recommend, but it’s not perfect.

Now let’s take a look at some of the downsides of ExpressVPN.

The price is a little high

The first downside to ExpressVPN is that it is a bit pricey.

ExpressVPN’s pricing plans are as follows:

Of the 45 companies compared in the ” Recommended VPN Low Price Ranking ,” ExpressVPN ranked 35th in terms of low price.

Considering that the average price for a VPN is 1,000 yen per month, 1,748 yen is by no means cheap. Many VPNs cost around 500 yen even for long-term contracts, but ExpressVPN is 900 yen, so this one can’t be said to be cheap either.

Therefore, ExpressVPNFor people who want a high-quality VPN even if it costs a little more.It can be said that.

This is just my personal opinion, but I think it’s okay to spend money on communication, which is a necessity of life.

Considering you ‘re getting 30 days of high-quality communications for the cost of two cups of coffee , that doesn’t seem so bad.

Fewer devices connected at the same time

The second drawback of ExpressVPN is its limited number of simultaneous connections.

ExpressVPN allows up to five devices to connect simultaneously.

This allows you to use five devices (smartphones, PCs, etc.) at the same time.at the same timeThis means you can connect to a VPN.

Most people won’t have any problems, except for high performers who regularly use six or more smartphones or computers at the same time.

However , if you are sharing your VPN with friends, family, or an office , you may find that ExpressVPN is not enough, as the five-device limit becomes too strict as the number of users increases.

In fact, there is a trick that allows unlimited numbers of people to use the VPN if you use ExpressVPN’s WiFi router “Aircove,” but if too many people access the router, the communication speed will drop, so that’s a bit of a tricky point.

If you want to share with many people, we recommend Suika VPN, which boasts overwhelming strength with the ability to connect 47 devices simultaneously .

I can’t make inquiries in Japanese

The third disadvantage of ExpressVPN is that you cannot make inquiries in Japanese.

I mentioned this as an advantage of them being an overseas company that can respond to inquiries in Japanese, but if they weren’t an overseas company in the first place, they would be able to respond in Japanese .

Especially in China, mysterious problems can suddenly occur, so information from management is more important than you might think.

If you find emails in English difficult or are reluctant to use overseas services, we recommend a service run by a long-established Japanese company such as Sekai VPN rather than ExpressVPN.

Uncertain about the quality of support for technical issues

The fourth drawback of ExpressVPN is the unknown quality of its response to technical issues.

ExpressVPN is certainly one of the best VPNs in the world, but it hasn’t done a very good job of handling China’s recent regulatory updates.

Starting at the end of 2022, the number of users experiencing difficulty connecting gradually increased, and even though the app was updated in January 2023, it is still difficult to connect as of 2024.

However, ExpressVPN will be updating its app and changing its website URL in 2023.I feel very strongly that we still haven’t given up.

With such a large group of professionals working so seriously on reforms, I’m sure they will be able to handle the situation well from now on.

By the way,No problem connecting outside of ChinaSo, if you are using it from outside China, you can use ExpressVPN with peace of mind.

I can’t even send an inquiry through local communication in China.

The fifth disadvantage of ExpressVPN is that you cannot even send an inquiry using local Chinese internet connections.

I showed you the inquiry sending screen earlier, but in fact, that inquiry could not be sent from the local WiFi in China.

No matter how many times I tried, I got the above screen, so I realized that I couldn’t send an inquiry to ExpressVPN from China’s local WiFi.

It was a very confusing situation, as I needed to connect to the VPN in order to consult about the VPN not working.

By the way, I was able to send it without any problems when I used the communication in Hong Kong or Japan, so this is alsoThere is no problem for users outside of China.

I can’t connect from China, is there anything I can do?

Who needs ExpressVPN?

So far, we have introduced the advantages and disadvantages of ExpressVPN.

Taking into account the above advantages and disadvantages, here are three characteristics of people for whom ExpressVPN is recommended.

You want a quality VPN

The first characteristic of people who are recommended for ExpressVPN is:You want a quality VPNis.

ExpressVPN has the disadvantage of being a little more expensive than other VPNs, but its communication speed and stability are top-notch (except for China).

Therefore, if you don’t mind paying a little more and want to use the Internet in a similar environment to when you are in Japan, choose ExpressVPN.

People who want an easy-to-use VPN

The second characteristic of people who are recommended for ExpressVPN is:People who want an easy-to-use VPNis.

When it comes to ease of use, ExpressVPN comes out on top.

It’s not that other VPNs are difficult to use, but the initial setup can be tedious or they have a somewhat foreign look, so some don’t suit Japanese sensibilities.

In that respect, the ExpressVPN app is easy to use, and if you don’t understand how to use it, just look at the big button in the middle.

One of the great things about ExpressVPN is that it is easy to use even for people who aren’t good with machines.

People who are concerned about security

The third characteristic of people who are recommended for ExpressVPN is:People who are concerned about securityis.

ExpressVPN uses AES-256-bit encryption for its communications, making it more secure than other VPNs.

Furthermore, it was established in 2009 and has been providing services for over 10 years, which makes it even more trustworthy.

If you want to use a VPN but are worried about your personal information being leaked using a suspicious app, or if you handle important information and want to prevent it from being hacked by outsiders , we recommend choosing ExpressVPN.

A word of warning about ExpressVPN

Here are some things to be aware of regarding ExpressVPN based on the latest information.

VPNs are constantly changing, so be sure to check this information carefully!

Behavior in China has been unstable since 2023 (still ongoing as of 2024)

As of September 2024, ExpressVPNExpressVPN is difficult to connect to from China.

ExpressVPN was an overwhelmingly powerful company in China until 2022, but things haven’t been going well lately.

In fact, many people use other VPNs because they cannot use ExpressVPN, so it is now difficult to recommend ExpressVPN if you are going to China .

Currently, Kabeneko VPN is the most recommended option if you are traveling to China.

Kabeneko VPN is a VPN operated by a company in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan since 2000, and is a popular VPN that has seen a rapid increase in the number of users in recent years.

Me tooKabeneko VPN is the easiest to use in ChinaI felt that way!

However, Kabeneko VPN still does not have a large number of users, and it is true that beginners who are not familiar with VPNs may have some stumbling blocks.

If you don’t know anything about machines and are afraid to even touch them, we recommend Sekai VPN.

Sekai VPN has a large number of users, so the chances of meeting a Sekai VPN user overseas are quite high.A sense of security that “If anything happens, I can just ask Mr./Ms. XX”It is the most reliable thing for beginners.

To be honest, Kabeneko VPN is of higher quality in terms of both price and speed, but I have confirmed that Sekai VPN also works well in China, so I recommend you give it a try.

Free trial periods vary depending on the plan

ExpressVPN isThe length of your free trial period will vary depending on the plan you sign up for.

As mentioned above, if you choose the one-year plan, you will get a lower usage rate than if you choose the one-month plan.49% cheaperPlease pay attention to this point.

Also, if you cancel within the first 30 days, you’ll get a full refund, so we recommend trying out the one-year plan to begin with .

ExpressVPN Pricing

ExpressVPN rates are as follows:

How to cancel ExpressVPN

Canceling ExpressVPN is very easy.

First, access your My Page.

Click on “My Account” in the left menu.

Then click on “Change subscription settings.”

Then click on “Turn off automatic updates.”

A confirmation screen will appear, so click “Turn off automatic updates” again.

A confirmation screen will appear again, so click “Turn off automatic updates” again.

Your cancellation is now complete!

ExpressVPN FAQs

ExpressVPN Review Summary

In this article, we’ll look at ExpressVPN’s reputation, advantages and disadvantages.

ExpressVPN isThe best VPN in terms of speed and qualityAlthough it is a little expensive, if you plan on using the internet overseas, you can’t go wrong with ExpressVPN, so it is a VPN that I highly recommend.

Watching videos and playing online games puts a strain on your data network, so you’ll want to choose a VPN with high quality.

After all, the Internet is a very important part of our lives, so if the difference is only about the cost of two cups of coffee each month, I think it’s better to choose ExpressVPN and enjoy a fulfilling 30 days .

However, as of September 2024, it is becoming difficult to connect in China , so if you are traveling to China, we recommend that you choose Kabeneko VPN .

Outside of China, there are no problemsSo, I highly recommend you give ExpressVPN a try.

Compare Popular VPN Services

name	ExpressVPN	NordVPN	wall cat VPN	Sekai VPN	Watermelon VPN	Millen VPN	Yoshinosuke VPN	AtlasVPN	SurfsharkVPN	CyberGhostVPN
recommended ranking	1st place	2nd place	3rd place	4th place	5th place	6th place	7th place	8th place	9th place	10th place
comprehensive evaluation	9.9 points	9.8 points	9.8 points	9.6 points	9.5 points	9.3 points	9.2 points	9.2 points	9.2 points	9.1 points
ease of use	highest	highest	highest	good	highest	good	good	good	good	good
Number of users	numerous	numerous	numerous	numerous	usually	usually	numerous	usually	usually	usually
communication speed	high speed	high speed	high speed	a little slow	early (in the day, etc.)	early (in the day, etc.)	early (in the day, etc.)	early (in the day, etc.)	high speed	high speed
Video distribution support	numerous	wealth	few	few	wealth	numerous	numerous	numerous	numerous	numerous
China Support	instability	incompatible	strong	strong	strong	instability	strong	possible	instability	incompatible
Number of simultaneous connections	5 units	3 units	4 units	3 units	47 units	10 units	2 units	limitless	limitless	7 units
Smartphone/PC/Tablet	All supported	All supported	All supported	All supported	All supported	All supported	All supported	All supported	All supported	All supported
iOS/Android	All supported	All supported	All supported	All supported	All supported	All supported	All supported	All supported	All supported	All supported
security	peace of mind	peace of mind	peace of mind	peace of mind	peace of mind	peace of mind	peace of mind	peace of mind	peace of mind	peace of mind
Support Atmosphere	careful	usually	careful	careful	usually	usually	usually	careful	usually	usually
Japanese Language Support	Chat Only	Chat Only	all	all	all	all	all	incompatible	incompatible	incompatible
Charge	907 yen and up	From 374 yen	From 480 yen	1,100 yen	788 yen and up	968 yen and up	From 850 yen	241 yen and up	338 yen and up	From 320 yen
free trial (e.g. of software, game, etc.)	3 months	30-day money back guarantee	14 days	2 months	1 month	30-day money back guarantee	1 week	3 months	30-day money back guarantee	4 months
Official Site	Official Site	Official Site	Official Site	Official Site	Official Site	Official Site	Official Site	Official Site	Official Site	Official Site

2024年10月For the latest information on VPN companies’ support for China, see ” Three recommended VPNs for use in China! Which are the best apps to get through the tightening regulations?” for the latest information on VPN companies’ support for China.

2024年9月19日 中国で使えるおすすめVPN3選！規制強化も突破する最強のアプリは？